Just a quick response to Martha regarding election signs placed up before Christmas:

While I cannot defend the actions of Leo Bradshaw placing his signs up before Christmas, I must defend Ron Paul's name in this regard. Dr. Paul is a Republican presidential candidate who certainly has no control over when and where his supporters place his signs.  Furthermore, Dr. Paul's campaign has an extremely large and devoted grass roots support effort behind it.  His official campaign is currently focused on the earliest of primary voting states, not Tennessee.  Most, if not all, of the local advertising you see at this point is the result of independent supporters spending their time and money to support Dr. Paul. 

I certainly hope you decide not to hold the candidate responsible for the actions of his followers. Furthermore, nearly every one of the current crop of presidential hopefuls is running Christmas ads on television at this point.  Politics at Christmas is nasty business, but it happens. Companies don't remove signs or billboards during the holiday season, yet I'm sure we all still use their products and services.  Loudon County most definitely has a problem with too many election signs, but that's something for the local councils to deal with.

This presidential election is an increasingly important one; with the power of the Executive branch at an all-time high due to the many powers the Bush administration has put in place for itself, the next president will step into the office able to wield more influence than at any other time in our nation's history.  Dr. Paul is the only candidate promising to renounce this powers, and restore the Presidency to the role outlined in the Constitution.

Ron Paul supports a message of freedom, small government, and personal responsibility.  His message is resonating strongly with a lot of people, and I encourage all of you to learn about his positions and consider him when it comes time to place your vote for
the Republican presidential nominee. Ron Paul 2008!

Ron Paul Supporter 12/22/07

I have noticed a lot of Ron Paul and Leo Bradshaw signs going up around the county before Christmas. I hope everybody will remember not to vote for these two in the election. I plan to come back here and remind them why they lost votes when the election is over.

Leave Christmas alone.

Martha 12/21/07

To Life Long In Loudon 12/19/07,

I too read Mr. Bradshaw's press release in the paper. I noticed that he has changed his title. He calls himself Purchasing and Management director for the county. This is not hardly right. He is Purchasing and Maintenance director for the county. This includes the Loudon County Schools. I guess he doesn't want people to realize that he is responsible for much of the mess the schools are in especially Greenback. Changing your title doesn't change what has been going on Mr. Bradshaw.

Living In Loudon 12/20/07

I just read Mr. Leo Bradshaw's announcement in the paper that he was running for property assessor. He said, and I quote, "many people have asked him to run." What that really means is Doyle Arp put him up to running for the assessor. Arp has been mad ever since his hand picked replacement didn't get the job. Now Arp thinks he can regain control of the office by running Bradshaw. Arp has made a big enough mess of the mayor's office, he sure don't need to get his hands back on the assessor's office.

Life Long In Loudon 12/19/07

Regarding the story: New Town Creek plan includes sewer Developers of project in Lenoir City add more incentives to TIF on Wednesday, December 12, 2007.

Is this TIF thing even legal? I thought it was against the law to use tax money to fund private development.

What I get from the article is that Doctor Bob and Lee Crebs are paying off the LCUB, Brat Matt and city council, and they do not care who knows it.

Seems to me that this "keeping it in the family" between the mayor and LCUB is a conflict of interest and a breach of ethics. I hope everyone remembers that come election time. Lenoir City is fast going broke because of these good ole boys.

Fed Up in LC 12/13/07

What exactly qualifies a very mediocre seventh grade social studies teacher who worships John F. Kennedy to tell anybody else what they should be doing. Here's a news flash for Mr. Brookshire, you're certainly not my leader. You haven't done anything good for Lenoir City. Get off your high horse.  You're not the least bit impressive. Just a legend in your own mind.

Dave downtown 12/12/07

Is Freddie Nelson Matt's daddy or daddy in law? Sounds like they have a lot in common in the way they treat others. I guess the whole family thinks they are better than everybody else.

George 12/12/07

I have never been more embarrassed for our city than I am right now. After watching the Matt Brat video, I was upset that Van had put it on his website for everybody to see. Then after I calmed down I was glad van put it on his site for everybody to see. Aside from raising our taxes and building an unneeded pool what just exactly does Brat think he has done for us? He did make sure his daddy in law got a sweet heart job that will also benefit him. 

I personally think he should resign. We just don't need his kind representing our city. People might start to think we are all like him.

Steve 12/12/07

I have lived my entire in Lenoir City and have voted either for or against at least 75% of the individuals who have held the office of Mayor in our fair City.  I have never witnessed anyone as arrogant and obnoxious as our current Mayor.  This not only happens to Mr. Hines.  The video camera just happened to catch the most recent outburst.  "Matt the Brat" is much too kind.  I only hope that in the next election the public will remember to vote for a change. 

Lenoir City receives its share of bad publicity without such childish outbursts as we have seen tonight.  With my age and health, I hope that I am able to vote in the next election. I also hope a vast majority of citizens will join me in voting ABB (Anybody But Brookshire).
 
An LC Old Timer 12/12/07

As far as I know, the sheriff's department doesn't write hardly any speeding tickets on Browder Hill or any where else and any tickets that are written are to be turned over to chief deputy Tony Aikens instead of the clerk's office and you know what happens with those tickets. So why should the tickets be written if they are just going to go away.

Deputy Dawg 12/10/07

Stinger,

I love it. "Sheriff GuiderAikens" That is just so appropriate. But should it be "Sheriff AikensGuider"? I guess either way works. The outcome is the same. Aikens runs the show.

Maggie

I just read the Thursday edition of the Newsless Herald and if you can believe what they report, there is an interesting topic. In King Arp's changes to the employee hand book, among other things employees are forbid to do any blogging on their work computers. Humm, I wonder what blog page King Arp is afraid county employees might be going to?

Keep up the good work Shaver.

Tom 12/6/07

I am furious at the outcome of Bill Shirk's hearing. You three commissioners who sat in judgment of Mr. Shirk owe him an apology. Not a single one of you had any right to to pass judgment on Bill after you heard the evidence. Do you Mr. Miller, Mr. Franke and Mr. Gardin not realize that you were used as no more than pawns? Everyone knew that none of you had enough back bone to stand up to the sheriff and you certainly proved that to be true. If you could not see what the sheriff/Tony Aikens was doing to Bill Shirk, then you should not even be a commissioner. Your decision to support Sheriff GuiderAikens shows a complete lack of judgment on your part.

With all the gaff and corruption taking place in the sheriff's office, it's beyond comprehension that a man like Bill Shirk could just so callously be tossed aside. I work there I know.

If there truly is justice in the world, it will come some day to those that deserve it in the form of Loudon county official round up by the FBI that will make Cocke County look like nothing. I hope I can help.

Stinger 12/6/07

Let me see if I understand this. Tony Aikens indicted twice for exhortation, no punishment by sheriff. Paul Curtis indicted for exhortation no punishment by sheriff. Tony Ardin indicted for tampering with evidence, no punishment by sheriff. Billy Hall indicted for beating up a hand cuffed prisoner, no punishment by sheriff. Bill Shirk takes home requisition forms, Shirk fired by sheriff.

How stupid would anybody have to be not to see what's going on here. Sheriff Tim Guider is the sorriest example of a sheriff I've ever seen. Oh, that's right, he's not really the sheriff. Tony Aikens is. Who knows, Aikens may fire Guider.

I'm embarrassed by the whole bunch.

Mills 12/5/07

Poor Bill Shirk did not have a chance the day of his hearing. Seems to me as if the bad guy has it made in this county. Mr. Shirk had more than 20 years invested in the county and the county had 20 years invested in him. What a waste for Bill Shirk. Of course we all know that government will take your tax money and throw it down the drain like it is nothing. They spend it like they want to with no regard how you had to strain to get the cash to them before they took your house. Of course this is America, Home of the Free. I wonder about that sometimes. The man had reason to store records at another site. His file cabinet was being broken into by the very people that weren’t supposed to be breaking into anything. What a shame that our county police department has gone to these type of tactics. We need to take a good look at who we elect to lead our county. We haven’t been very careful in choosing these people. I think they have been in office too long and think they have it made every election and can do anything they want to. We already know that somehow they can get past the laws. I really think someday that all that will run out and it will all catch up. Gosh I hope so. It isn't fair to the good guys in Loudon County.

Let freedom ring.

Betsy Ross 12/5/07

In your Shirk article the bottom line was this determination is the  reality of small town politics. I think it stinks. I know little about Shirk, but I know that when Doyle Arp was supposedly sick he took home public documents much more important that purchase requisitions. Arp is heard to admit this several times. He even went as far as to fire an employee from that supposed hospital bed. If Shirk has to go, why doesn't Arp have to do likewise? We all know he spends little time at the county building doing his job anyway!

Sick of politics, Arp, & Arp yes men 12/5/07

Leo Bradshaw has the job of being the maintenance supervisor for Loudon County Schools, as well as being purchasing agent. We all know what a lousy job he has done in maintaining the schools. The question is do we really want the same kind of attention paid to our property assessments and taxes? My opinion is that we would be right back where we started if he is elected, as he seems to be Arp's right hand man these days.

Jenkins has done a wonderful job and I will feel much more comfortable knowing my "goats" won't be taxed if he is reelected. I sure hope everyone else is smart enough to feel the same.

No Arp goat tax for me in LC 12/4/07

Ladies and Gentlemen of shaver land.

I was recently approached by a friend who made the joking suggestion I run for a school board seat. I pondered the idea for several days and came up with this.

I would have to do something FEW of the present school board members have ever done. BE HONEST!! If I run I will not do this for the kids or the future of the educational system. I will make decisions so far out in left field people will wonder if I am on drugs. I will tell you one thing and do another. I will buy land on the buddy system and have no intentions of ever putting it to use. I will let the poor Greenback kids be shut down with good reason by the State. I will back down and kiss up to the few in Loudon who have money. And most importantly I will take my family to Nashville, Gatlinburg, or where ever else I can find and let you the tax payer foot the bill.

After looking at the facts I have decided I can not become one of them and still have enough dignity to face my church, my community and most of all my children so you will not see my name on the ballot.   

L. South 11-27-2008

I would like to address the matter of campaign signs. I am one of those people who despise political signs being stuck up all over the place before elections. I suppose it is a necessary evil but at least the politicians could limit the time we are forced to look at the signs. I would personally like to ask all those running for office to please spare us the  pain of having to look at political signs during the Christmas season.

I know the election will begin in January, but does it really make a difference if your campaign signs are up for six weeks or ten weeks? We will all get a chance to see them after Christmas is over. Please don't clutter up Christmas. I too will join the club to not vote for those who post signs before Christmas.

Lea Ann Morton 11/27/07

After reading the report of the fire marshal about Greenback School, it seems to me that somebody should go to jail. If there was any body in the in the board of education who knew about all the fire code violation that were being ignored they should be held accountable and put in prison.  I bet some body would have been in trouble if there had been a fire.

Natilie 11/27/07

To Connie LC

You have left a couple of names off your list of school officials that should resign. Number one on the list should be Director of schools, Edward Headlee. In reality, Headlee is the one most responsible for all the problems. His job is to "direct" the operations of the schools. Maybe the board's greatest failure was not getting rid of Headlee long ago and finding someone who actually knew how to manage a school system. Fortunately he will be gone soon but this same board is going to decide who the next director will be. Does that make anybody feel any better?

What about Leo Bradshaw? The man who wants to be assessor. He has been the county maintenance director, including the schools, for the last several years when all the maintenance problems at the schools has gotten so bad. He certainly has to take a lot of the responsibility for the mess the schools are in. he was the man in charge.

It's almost impossible to imagine what a mess this board and administration has gotten the schools into. They all need to go. They have all proven they are incapable of operating a school system.

Carson 11/27/07

OMG, how can the county school board even face the people? Everyone of them should resign now. They and they alone are 100% responsible for the horrible mess the Loudon County schools are in. If the buildings are in such dreadful condition, does anyone think for a minute every other aspect of the school system isn't in just as bad condition? Our children deserve much better, the tax payers deserve much better. Please, all ten members should resign now before we reach the point of no return if we haven't already.

Connie LC 11/27/07

Reading the details of the Greenback fire violations here: Click Here


I am amazed at the number of locked/inoperable doors. How  can anyone not know that was unacceptable?

Scott

To: Freeman In Loudon 11/19/07

If you don't want Brookshire, then take Millsaps back. The deal's off!

David Divelbiss
Lenoir City 11/26/07

I'm curious, who foot the bill for the big shindig put on by the EDA at Calhouns? Sounds like they had a big crowd of county and city officials on hand for free food. Why should the tax payers, some who can't afford to eat at Calhouns, have to pay for food for a bunch of city and county elected officials all of which can afford to pay for their own lunch. This is a perfect example of how little they actually care about us. Pat Hunter or Van Shaver should find out just how much that little brunch cost the tax payers and just who attended. They should have to reimburse the county. What a bunch of no goods.

James Lewis 11/20/07

Just finished reading today's Newsless Herald. Front page, left sidebar, Newsless Herald reports that Lenoir City Councilman Lynn Millsaps was in attendance at a get together. I wonder if Loudon City Councilman, Lynn Millsaps knows the Newsless Herald has transferred him to Lenoir City. This may also come as a shock to the other Loudon Councilmen and mayor. Or maybe Lenoir City and Loudon have worked out some kind of trade. Let's see, who could Lenoir City trade to Loudon that would be equal to Millsaps? Just don't ask us to trade mayors. We don't want yours.

Freeman In Loudon 11/19/07

I'm on with the vote boycott. I pledge not to vote for any candidate who puts signs on the road way till after Christmas. So far on that list, Ron Paul and Leo Bradshaw.

Kellie Lenoir City 11/17/07

I can not believe it. When I went through the underpass on Martel today, I saw a political sign hanging on the fence at the propane tank. Some guy named Leon Bradshaw is running for some office and apparently he has the gall to put his stinking sign up just at Thanksgiving. I despise those signs but to think I'm am going to have to look at that stuff all through the holidays infuriates me. I promise everyone right now, I will not vote for anyone who sticks their sign on the side of the roads during the holidays. It's bad enough that we have to look at them other times of the year but all during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Give us a break.

I hope everyone else will join me in the sign protest. Don't vote for anyone who puts their signs up during the holidays.

Virginia 11/16/07

I thought it a bit short sighted that Mr. Shaver failed to mention any of the good things Mayor Arp had done for the county in his first year in office so I set out to make a list of them to put on this blog. I guess I have to apologize to Mr. Shaver.  Obviously Arp hasn't done anything good for the county. I searched the internet, read old editions of the papers and as hard as I tried, I could not find a single positive action by Mr. Arp. All you can find on the internet, are stories about his attempt keep secret records. He received universal condemnation from across the state for his stupid actions. He made all of us look like fools.

And even though Mr. Shaver wouldn't say the name, all of us in Loudon who watch things know exactly who Mr. Shaver was referring to when he said Arp had given contracts to "close friends". It's Ken Brewster, owner of Brewster's Turf Management, one of the largest employers of mexicans in Loudon just behind Monterey Mushroom. It's pretty obvious who's getting the county contracts. Just watch who's mowing and trimming the county property. 

Just about all of Arp's family works for the county or the county schools. Guess that's just a coincidence. I hate to admit it, but once again Mr. Shaver is right. Arp's done nothing but spend tax money and hire family and friends. He's made Loudon proud. I'm sad to admit he is from Loudon.

Daryl from Loudon 11/15/07

Is Arp just stupid or what? Is there no way to get him out of there? Where is the commissioners? Why aren't they doing something to put a stop to his craziness? At least they had enough gumption to stop the Overholt thing Arp wanted so bad. We'll never survive his rein of terror.

Bryce M. 11/13/07

I would like to comment on the story about the Mexican dance hall. I can not believe that anyone would want to make a place where illegal immigrants can openly gather and flaunt their law breaking. Can't Mr. Lewis be arrested for harboring fugitives? Or giving aid and comfort to the enemy? What about making him an accomplice to the crime of supporting illegal activity? Mr. Lewis should be held personally and financially accountable for any illegal actions that take place at his dance hall. Maybe a little time in the hooscow with his Mexican brothers might help him see a little more clearly. And he wants to be mayor. What a joke.

A fed up American 11/9/07

How could the county or the city even consider giving developer, Bob Overholt, a big fat tax break when both governments have continuously raised our taxes. You foolish elected lackeys better remember who votes here and it's sure not Dr. Overholt. I can't wait till the next Lenoir City election.

A serious voter 11/4/07

His daughter is the Lenoir City traffic court officer making big bucks, his lawyer is city judge, his buddy is remodeling city hall, he has bought millions of dollars of property on a $50,000.00 salary, for all practical purposes he runs the sheriff's office and now he wants to be Lenoir City mayor. Do we really want Tony Aikens picking who handles the money at city hall?

Boney 11/01/07